Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau‘s board of directors has been searching across the USA for a new COO who could become a candidate to head up the bureau when 27-year veteran leader CEO Patrick Moscaritolo eventually retires. Moscaritolo, 73, says he’s not going anywhere. The board hopes to have the new COO in place by the end of summer.

Following 10 years in the post, Kurt Burkhart retired on May 1, 2018 as head of Charlottesville Albemarle (VA) CVB. Prior to joining the CVB in Charlottesville, he was Executive Director of the CVB in Carlsbad, Calif. for eight years.

David Breisch moves from Quad Cities CVB to become the new Director of Marketing Technology for Destinations International, leading technology strategies across all digital media platforms at the association. David, 32, previously a 30-under-30 honoree at DMAI, succeeds Joy Lin, reporting to CMO Melissa Cherry.

Congrats to Leroy Bridges on his promotion to Vice President- Digital & Communications at Visit St. Pete Clearwater. Leroy is a strategist who mixes old-school and new-school skills, managing four PR firms (UK, Germany, New York and St. Pete), overseeing digital/interactive, websites, social media channels, new content and communication schedule. Leroy was a DMAI 30-under-30 in 2014. He’s also a top-rated eTourism Summit presenter.

Congrats to Jay Kinghorn on his promotion to Associate Managing Director at Utah Office of Tourism. Previously Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, Jay’s expanded responsibilities include oversight for consumer marketing in six international markets along with domestic digital channels, public relations, website and publications. In 2017, Jay received MMGY Global’s inaugural Peter Yesawich award for effective use of data and research to achieve marketing excellence. Jay’s presentations and moderating at eTourism Summit have been a big asset for our community.

Leah Chandler has just made a move from CMO at Missouri’s Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & VisitorsBureau to become Chief Marketing Officer at Puerto Rico Destination Management Organization. Leah is a 16-year pro in branding, advertising and marketing with emphasis in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Stanford Smith isIntegrated Marketing Manager at Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, responsible for telling Detroit’s story on social networks with compelling original content. Stan is the founder of Pushing Social, marketing strategy and content marketing provider to small and medium-sized businesses, and co-author of “Born to Blog.” Stan recently talked to The Travel Vertical about conceiving and producing “Eats in the D,” a new YouTube foodie channel for Metro Detroit.

Jeffrey Vasser has been appointed executive director of the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism succeeding Jake Buganski, who had been acting executive director until joining a marketing and advertising firm in Philadelphia. Vasser accepted the job just weeks after he taken over as director of the Central Pennsylvania CVB. Before joining the latter, Vasser served as director general and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and as president and chief operating officer of the Atlantic City CVA.

Charles Hill II has been named vice president of strategic development for Experience Columbus. He joins the organization from Rev1 Ventures, where he served as director of community outreach. Previously, he was senior relationship manager with United Way of Central Ohio.

eTourism Summit is rewarding the best lessons learned and shared with the eTS community. Was it a digital campaign, website, video or social media content that missed the mark big time? Can your failed efforts be best described as a challenge, flop, dud, disaster, fiasco, or a bomb that went south?

Why?

We believe the eTS community will greatly benefit from DMO digital failures as well as the successes that are presented every year. Beyond what went wrong, we want to know what lessons were learned. Share your DMO experience for a chance to win a $1,000 cash reward or equivalent credit toward eTourism Summit registration.

“We want to encourage attendees to try things that are new,” said Jake Steinman, founder of eTourism Summit. “Those who are first to try new software systems or new campaign ideas often fail, but after doing so, I’ve watched them grow away from the learning that invariably comes from failure.”

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s a brief video about why Will Smith wants you to fail.

How?

In anticipation of potential internal politics we curb any media attendance and offer the presentation formats depending on your organization’s level of sensitivity.

If you’re happy to show your face as the face of failure, go for it. If there are issues, just tell us your compelling story without the A/V. And for the most sensitive situations, we supply the disguise.

When?

Ideally, contact us during The Listening Tour (through June 7) at jake@visitnaj.com. If your submission is a “still in progress” failure, communicate your interest and we’ll hang tight.

Wondering about who should attend eTourism Summit for the networking and educational insights? Here’s Jay Kinghorn, Associate Managing Director, Utah Office of Tourism in a 20-sec. video clip from last year’s eTS on the benefits of registering additional staff to attend, seen here.

Interactive sessions, personal career coaching, and website demos are on the agenda for eTourism Summit 2017. Register (open to early birds, too) and drop us a note if you want to jump in…first-come, first-served basis.

1. How Lovable is Your Website: Biometric Sensors

Are you ready to get strapped in for 20 minutes? Biometric sensors for synched eye tracking, electroencephalography (EEG) and galvanic skin response (GSR) take the guess work out of measuring consumer response. Be a guinea pig for the sake of your website…let’s see what happens when we open it and plug in the sensors.

Sign up in advance. First-come, first-served personal demos of this new technology that mixes science, marketing, and consumer experience are available at eTS on request, thanks to Dale Jolley,Director, UVU Vivint Neuromarketing SMARTLab and Professor of Marketing at Utah Valley University.

Also presenting at eTourism Summit: In Utah, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development engaged the UVU Vivint Neuromarketing SMARTLab to test their television advertising spots before spending $4.6 million dollars.

2. How Navigable Is Your Mobile Website: Drunken UX Testing

Tipsy consumers are generally considered to be the ultimate test of usability of a mobile website. The idea comes to us via www.theuserisdrunk.com, a popular UX expert who tests websites while he is fully wasted and then sends a complete report on ease of usability to those brands.

Our eTS version takes place during the opening reception. Here’s how it will work:

We’re recruiting three attendees who wish to have their mobile sites tested and three volunteer attendees who will test each site once they’re over the legal limit. Yes, essentially, it’s an eTS interpretation of a DUI stop.

Each tester will have three minutes in which to perform five navigational online tasks and those who succeed will receive a $50 prize and no jail time. Everyone is welcome to observe the Drunken UX Testing Session.

3. How Transferable Are Your Skills: Personal Career Coaching Sessions

Because eTourismSummit is confident that future CEOs and leaders in the DMO space will come from the ranks of digitally savvy experts, we offer complimentary personal coaching sessions to eTS delegates. Jane Howard, Founder of Culture Effect is formerly Chief People Officer at Joie de Vivre Hospitality. Specializing in corporate culture, personal leadership, team building, and conflict resolution, she has recently coached Silicon Valley talent, social media movers and shakers, for-profit and nonprofit executives.

Once again, thanks to Jane for generously donating her time to discuss goals in confidence with eTS delegates. Sign ups are required; first-come, first-served.

Craig Ray took over as Visit Mississippi travel director in mid-July. The state is focused on its upcoming bicentennial with the use of additional funds coming in part from the first installment of money from the BP Oil Spill settlement. A veteran travel pro, Craig resumes the post he held in 2004-09. He has sat on boards for U.S. Travel, Travel South, and the Southeast Tourism Society.

Vicki Varela of the Utah Office of Tourism, Film and Global Branding was named national State Tourism Director of the Year for 2016 during the ESTO conference in Boca Raton last month. Since assuming her role in 2013, Vicki and the team have led a major expansion of Utah’s international and digital marketing strategies, developed new analytics and research practices, and successfully increased the state’s marketing budget from $9 million to $21 million.

Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California and Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, have been named to the U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders, the highest honor from U.S. Travel Association. Both Caroline and Chris lead organizations that are Founding and Diamond Partners with Brand USA. The induction takes place on Nov. 16, during an event in Washington D.C. marking the 75th anniversary of U.S. Travel Association.

Looking for Robert Patterson? Find him once again at MMGY Global, says the TwitterSphere and LinkedInLand. In Kansas City, Robert reports:

Jamie Claudio has been named to a new position as director of brand development for New York’s Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission. Claudio brings a specialty in broadcast and digital communications and has experience overseeing both leisure and business initiatives on behalf of destination organizations including Tourism Toronto, Visit North Carolina, Discover Los Angeles, The Greater Louisville CVB, Visit Scotland.